Activist Lawyer

activistlawyer
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The Activist Lawyer podcast offers a platform for lawyers to share their story and journey into law and activism. Guests will discuss the challenges and highlights of their work as well as important cases, opinions on legal and political matters and will offer advice and tips for anyone interested in pursuing a career in human rights law, public interest law or criminal justice. The Activist Lawyer Podcast is brought to you by the Granite Podcast Studio.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep 138: Crisis at Lough Neagh and the Fight for Environmental Justice

    In this episode of The Activist Lawyer, we speak with Laura Neal, lawyer at Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland, about the deepening ecological crisis at Lough Neagh, where toxic blue-green algal blooms, agricultural pollution and governance failures have placed the UK's largest freshwater lake under unprecedented pressure. We explore how strategic environmental litigation is increasingly being used to hold public authorities accountable, examine the growing movement for the Rights of Nature, and discuss why recognising legal rights for the natural world is not simply a radical idea but an emerging legal necessity in the face of accelerating environmental breakdown.   Important Links:  Petition: Save Lough Neagh | Friends of the Earth Why is Lough Neagh dying? | Friends of the Earth Help protect people and planet | Friends of the Earth Save Lough Neagh | Facebook   About Laura  Laura Neal is a senior lawyer and solicitor for Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland a position she has held for 8 years. In that time she has led on strategic litigation that supports communities in Northern Ireland to protect people, planet and place. She was recognised as an “unsung hero” in the 2025 ENDS Powerlist of the UK’s most impactful environmental professionals and together with communities and civic society organisations, she has been involved in successful litigation such as the “No Gas Caverns” legal case and the recent “Clean Air Case” on the diesel emissions MOT scandal. Friends of the Earth have also recently intervened in the A5 Road case and are actively participating in the public inquiry into goldmining in the Sperrin Mountains and the current legal challenge concerning the pollution of Lough Neagh.

    Ep 138: Crisis at Lough Neagh and the Fight for Environmental Justice

  2. 6d ago

    Accidential Activist: Ep 2, Hajrija Čobo

    Hajrija Čobo joins Brian and Sarah to discuss her journey as an environmental rights defender and campaigner. She shares how concerns about environmental harm and its impact on local communities led her into activism, and reflects on the legal and advocacy efforts she has undertaken to protect environmental rights. The conversation explores the growing recognition of environmental issues as human rights issues, the obstacles faced by environmental defenders, and the determination required to challenge powerful interests in pursuit of justice and accountability.   What turns an ordinary person into an activist? Accidental Activist is a special mini-series from the Activist Lawyer Podcast sponsored by Humanitas Media and hosted by Brian Dooley and Sarah Henry. Through candid conversations with campaigners and human rights defenders, the series explores how people from a range of backgrounds found themselves standing up against injustice. These are not stories of people who set out to become activists. They are stories of individuals who responded to challenges, inequality, discrimination, environmental harm, violence or injustice in their communities and discovered the power of collective action. Their experiences demonstrate that you do not need a particular qualification, title or profession to become an advocate for change. All it takes is a willingness to act. Across four compelling episodes, Brian and Sarah speak with remarkable guests about their journeys, achievements, challenges and the lessons they have learned along the way.   About the Hosts: Sarah Henry is a solicitor, human rights advocate and host of the Activist Lawyer Podcast. Originally from Newry, County Down, Sarah has extensive experience working on human rights, equality and social justice issues. Through her legal practice, advocacy work and podcasting, she is committed to amplifying the voices of activists and campaigners and encouraging others to become agents of positive change in their communities.   Brian Dooley is a leading human rights advocate, writer and campaigner. He is a senior adviser with Human Rights First and has spent decades working with human rights defenders and activists across the globe. Brian is the author of several books on human rights and activism, including his forthcoming book Defiance, due to be published in October. Throughout his career, he has documented abuses, supported grassroots activists and championed the rights of those working for justice and equality.

    Accidential Activist: Ep 2, Hajrija Čobo

  3. Sep 4

    Ep 137: The Law Society  of Northern Ireland Special General Meeting:  What You Need to Know - with Rosemary Connolly

    What’s behind the upcoming Law Society of Northern Ireland Special General Meeting?   In this episode of Activist Lawyer, we are joined by Rosemary Connolly, recently retired solicitor with over 30 years in private practice to discuss the factual background to the SGM called for 9th September in Belfast.   Rosemary talks us through the issues that have led to the meeting, the importance of solicitors engaging with the process, and the wider questions raised around character references in cases involving sexual violence.   The conversation also explores why it matters that members have the information they need to participate fully and make their own decisions at the meeting.   Special General Meeting: 9 September 2026, Belfast

    Ep 137: The Law Society  of Northern Ireland Special General Meeting:  What You Need to Know - with Rosemary Connolly

  4. Aug 31

    Accidental Activist: Ep1, Johanna Nejedlová  -  Konsent

    In this episode of Accidental Activist, Johanna Nejedlová, co-founder of Konsent, shares the story behind one of Europe's most influential consent education initiatives. Johanna discusses how her work emerged from a desire to challenge harmful attitudes around sex, relationships and consent, and explains why education is essential to preventing violence and promoting healthy relationships. She reflects on the development of the Konsent movement, the challenges of changing public attitudes, and the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence to understand and communicate consent. More info: Konsent Content warning: This episode discusses sexual violence and may be distressing for some listeners.   Accidental Activist A new Activist Lawyer Mini-Series    What turns an ordinary person into an activist? Accidental Activist is a special mini-series from the Activist Lawyer Podcast sponsored by Humanitas Media and hosted by Brian Dooley and Sarah Henry. Through candid conversations with campaigners and human rights defenders, the series explores how people from a range of backgrounds found themselves standing up against injustice. These are not stories of people who set out to become activists. They are stories of individuals who responded to challenges, inequality, discrimination, environmental harm, violence or injustice in their communities and discovered the power of collective action. Their experiences demonstrate that you do not need a particular qualification, title or profession to become an advocate for change. All it takes is a willingness to act. Across four compelling episodes, Brian and Sarah speak with remarkable guests about their journeys, achievements, challenges and the lessons they have learned along the way.   Humanitas Media  This episode is part of a limited series sponsored by Humanitas Media, where human rights meet human stories. Brian Dooley's upcoming book, DEFIANT: Profiles of Resistance, will be released on October 13, 2026, published by Humanitas Media. Learn more at HumanitasMedia.org and connect with them on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

    Accidental Activist: Ep1, Johanna Nejedlová  -  Konsent

  5. Aug 27

    Summer Update!

    Today's episode is a short update from our host, Sarah with some exciting news about our upcoming mini-series. More info coming soon!

    Summer Update!

  6. Aug 6

    Ep 136: Zahraa Al-Jameel - Autism, Intersectionality and Studying Law

    In this episode of Activist Lawyer, Sarah speaks with Zahraa Al-Jameel, a law student, content creator and passionate autism advocate working to challenge exclusion and systemic oppression. Zahraa advocates for a more intersectional approach to autism, highlighting the experiences of marginalised autistic people who are too often overlooked or excluded from mainstream conversations. Her work explores the intersection between law, accessibility, disability and social justice as she continues her journey to become a human rights barrister.   Law student and content creator with a passion for autism advocacy and intersectionality, Zahraa Al-Jameel provides a safe inclusive space for everyone in her social media platform. Her advocacy includes autism and how to make autism advocacy intersectional and focuses on the marginalised autistic people that are often dismissed by whitewashed autism media. She is unafraid to call out any hypocrisy, lack of intersectionality and any form of systematic oppression and violence. She uses her voice to uplift and collaborate with marginalised autistic people alongside parents, teachers, doctors, etc. Zahraa leads with accountability, authenticity, humility and honesty.    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/autism-month-series-2026-unemployment-zahraa-al-jameel-pq1ce - autism and unemployment article.    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/jump-juztice-accessibility-law-how-saves-lives-zahraa-al-jameel-fnoae - accessibility and the law.

    Ep 136: Zahraa Al-Jameel - Autism, Intersectionality and Studying Law

  7. Jun 23

    Ep 134: Special Episode O'Keeffe: Beyond the Landmark Case, the Campaign for Justice continues

    When Louise O'Keeffe took her case all the way to the European Court of Human Rights, she changed the landscape of accountability in Ireland. But decades later, many of her former classmates and survivors of sexual abuse in Irish schools are still seeking redress.   In this episode, Sarah is joined by Louise O'Keeffe and Professor Conor O'Mahony of University College Cork, to discuss justice, state responsibility, and why the campaign continues.    Links to the judgement in O'Keeffe v Ireland:    https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-140235#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-140235%22]}    Link to Prof Conor O'Mahony https://research.ucc.ie/en/persons/conor-omahony/   Trigger Warning This episode contains discussion of sexual abuse, including references to traumatic experiences that some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised. If this topic may be triggering for you, please consider whether it is safe for you to listen or access this content at this time.

    Ep 134: Special Episode O'Keeffe: Beyond the Landmark Case, the Campaign for Justice continues

  8. Jun 18

    Ep 133: Citizenship, Detention and Legal Aid - A conversation with Dr Ayesha Riaz

    What happens when citizenship can be taken away? Why are immigration detainees still struggling to access quality legal advice? And has legal aid been 'strangled by reform'? Host Sarah Henry sits down with Dr Ayesha Riaz to discuss her fascinating research on citizenship deprivation, immigration detention and the long decline of legal aid. Drawing on years of practice and academic research, Ayesha examines the consequences of government policy for lawyers, migrants and access to justice across the UK.   About Ayesha Riaz Ayesha has been working at the University of Greenwich since 2019. She worked as a part time teacher and taught undergraduate students law at the London School of Economics and Political Science for several years. She also worked as a visiting lecturer at the University of East London.   Ayesha completed her PhD from Queen Mary University of London on 30 November 2025. As part of the PhD, she investigated the relationship between the British State and solicitors that assist asylum seekers in the UK from 1949 to 2024. Ayesha's interest in this area emanated from her professional experience. She previously worked at the largest legal aid firm in the UK and provided legal advice and assistance to those that were vulnerable such as detained and non-detained asylum seekers/victims of domestic violence and victims of trafficking.   Ayesha has a keen interest in conducting research. One of her papers was awarded the best paper prize by a doctoral student from the Society of Legal Scholars in 2025. She previously won the Impactful Research and Knowledge Exchange Award as part of the staff awards at the University of Greenwich in 2024. Her work has appeared in leading law journals, and has been cited by the United Nations General Assembly and the House of Lords International Agreements Committee.   Find out more about Dr Riaz's work and publications here:   Ayesha Riaz | People | University of Greenwich

    Ep 133: Citizenship, Detention and Legal Aid - A conversation with Dr Ayesha Riaz
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About

The Activist Lawyer podcast offers a platform for lawyers to share their story and journey into law and activism. Guests will discuss the challenges and highlights of their work as well as important cases, opinions on legal and political matters and will offer advice and tips for anyone interested in pursuing a career in human rights law, public interest law or criminal justice. The Activist Lawyer Podcast is brought to you by the Granite Podcast Studio.

Information

  • Creator
    activistlawyer
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    141
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Activist Lawyer

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